Science experiments the big draw for children's reading program kickoff

Registration for summer reading programs draws hundreds to York Expo Center on Saturday

Cameron Penn, 6, reacts to a soundwave experiment during a Maryland Science Center program at the York Expo Center on Saturday. Jennie Payne, an education and outreach specialist for the Maryland Science Center, is at left, The science program was part of the kickoff for York County Libraries' summer reading program. (JASON PLOTKIN — DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS)

Ella Green, 9, of Spring Garden Township participates in an experiment about static electricity during the Maryland Science Center program at the York Expo Center Saturday. (JASON PLOTKIN — DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS)

If you want to get kids interested in science, nothing does the trick like the sound of gas whooshing through a plastic tube.

That's how a pair of educators from the Maryland Science Center in Baltimore started their presentation Saturday before a rapt audience of children and their parents at the York Expo Center.

"We don't want you to try any of this stuff at home," Seth Schuler, an education and outreach specialist, cautioned the youngsters sitting cross-legged on the floor of Horticultural Hall.

The hour-long program of science experiments — heavy on sure-to-please kid favorites like seeing what happens when you place a squishy ball in a beaker of liquid nitrogen (the ball shatters) or creating a white cloud of smoke that wafted out of a garbage can — was Saturday's kickoff for York County Libraries' annual summer reading club. More than 550 children registered for the reading program either in person or online so far, said Paula Gilbert, the library system's director of youth services.

About 11,300 children participated in the program in 2013, Gilbert said. She is hoping 12,000 children sign up for this summer's program, which runs June 1 to Aug. 17. The program, which is also organized by Get Outdoors York, combines reading with outdoor activities.

Advertisement

Participants track the number of hours they read and also receive an activity booklet that encourages them to visit 30 state, county and municipal parks around York County.

"It really gets the kids reading, and it gets them outside and active," said Erin Lambert of Manchester Township.

Lambert, her husband David and their children Alexander, now 7, and Jack, now 5, visited 15 parks through the program last year. They plan on topping that total this summer.

Jericho Epperson, 4, of Windsor Township, tries on a fire helmet while sitting in the passenger seat of a West York fire truck at the York Expo Center on Saturday, part of the kickoff for York County Libraries' summer reading program. (JASON PLOTKIN — DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY)

Jared Espiritu doesn't need any encouragement to pick up a book.

The 10-year-old from Dover Township is "a reader," his mother Liza Espiritu said. Jared logged 820 minutes of reading in last summer's program, including several books in the The Hardy Boys series about two brothers who are amateur detectives.

Some folks say that children spend too much time parked in front of TV screen or a video game, but Jared said he makes room for reading, too.

"It takes some responsibility to take the time," he said.

As for Saturday's science experiments, Ella Green got to experience the power of static electricity up close.

The Spring Garden Township resident placed her hand on a metal orb with static electricity coursing through it. The static electricity set the 9-year-old's hair flying in different directions.

"It felt weird," she said. "I thought that my hair was sticking up on my head."

To register

Missed the event?

You can still register for the summer reading program by visiting www.yorklibraries.org/src or stopping by a York County Library branch.

The program runs June 1 to Aug. 17 and participants can sign up at any time, although most sign up in the first two weeks. The goal is to read a minimum of 800 minutes during the summer. The program offers a chance to win prizes including Regal Cinemas movie tickets and tickets for a Steam into History train ride.